Darlene Graham, the younger sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was sworn in Tuesday to fill his vacant seat in the Senate after his sudden death.

This appointment comes within the framework of American political traditions that allow state governors to temporarily fill vacant seats through appointments.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Graham to the position, with her Senate term lasting until January 2027. Graham is the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate.

President Trump recommended Darlene Graham's appointment on Monday after her brother's death, emphasizing the close relationship they shared throughout their lives.

During her tenure, a special primary election will be held on August 11 to select a replacement for the late Republican senator in the general election scheduled for November, determining who will fill the vacant seat for the next six-year term.

Graham, 62, has never held elected office before, but she has a long history of public service in South Carolina, having served as a commissioner on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind and has extensive experience working with people with disabilities.

Senator Tim Scott joined Graham at her swearing-in ceremony in the Senate, which was administered by Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley.

Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican and Trump ally, died of an aortic tear at the age of 71, according to an initial forensic report in Washington, D.C.

State governors have sometimes chosen family members to fill Senate seats on behalf of their relatives, with wives often being selected for the position.

The wife of former Vice President Hubert Humphrey is one example; Muriel Humphrey filled her husband's Senate seat after his death, as did Hattie Caraway after her husband died in office in 1931. Caraway later became the first woman elected to the Senate independently in 1932.

Lincoln Chafee was also appointed to fill his father's Senate seat from Rhode Island, and Senator Lisa Murkowski was appointed by her father to take his Senate seat after he became governor of Alaska in 2002—a decision that sparked controversy at the time.

These traditions reflect the influence of political families in the American legislative landscape. While the appointment is a temporary step until a special election, it raises questions about the balance between representing local interests versus party loyalties. It will be interesting to see whether Darlene Graham will run to retain the seat in the upcoming election.